I fell in love……

A year ago today, I fell in love AGAIN ….

I cannot put into words the feelings that I felt at this moment …..

This was when I held you in my arms for the very first time….. 

A moment that will remain etched in my memory forever….

A moment that I fell in love with another little man….

A moment when my baby sister became a mom …

 

You are a sweet little angel that has blessed our lives with more fun, laughter and love..

Being your aunt, has brought nothing but joy …. And off course my camera sure did enjoy capturing your first year with us.

 

Happy 1^st Birthday to my gorgeous nephew!!! …. I soooo look forward to capturing the rest of your life … yes yes… more pictures… but more importantly, in my heart!!!

 Love you lots my pudding…. Now aunty Keri needs to finish baking your birthday cake :)

How True!!

But life would surely be meaningless without them!!!

Anyone else can relate?? :)

 

A first!

For the past year our home has been filled with the keen interest, growing talent and the sound of the piano enchanting my ears.

In less than a week, my baby girl will be sitting in front of an audience, for her very first piano recital.

I am not sure who is more excited and nervous though… me or her!!

Siara, I have heard you practice and practice. As days turned into months and months into a year, I have seen the joy that the piano brings, and the excitement that you feel every time you play a piece for the first time.

And I am sure I am not being biased here, but you really have talent.

I love you… and I am soooo proud of this stepping stone to greatness.

You go Girl!!! I will right there cheering you on my baby girl!!!!

My answer

Some days it would just help if the world would stand still for me to catch my breath.

Unfortunately, it won’t.

Work has been insanely crazy since the start of the new year,  and if you are a working parent, you’ll probably understand what I mean. These daily demands often require more than your batteries can supply right?.

But while I’d like nothing more than to bask in some blissful uninterrupted “time”, the only time available seems to be between 2 and 4 in the morning!  provided that there is no deadlines to meet or insomnia itself!!

So how do some parents  juggle work, family and all the little surprises life springs on us, and still have time to recharge their batteries?

Well if anyone has a tried and tested answer, please feel free to pass it along.

Until then my sanity seems to live in quick online games, quick surfing of the net, quick chit chats and catch ups,

and the instant sight of these two

Methinks I have found the answer!!!  … although they sometimes contribute to my loss of sanity :)

My period of Grace!

What I would have loved to have taken home from our summer vacation?

Time! I seem to not find any of it now that I am back.

I long for the days when you can shut down the mental machinery that keeps life on track and let life simply wander.

The days when you stop planning, analysing or thinking and just are.

For me, the vacation served as a breather from the monotonous work of daily life. It came down to the fact that we happily spent the days forgetting all the worries and tension.

Some of my favorite memories consist of past family vacations. The funny incidents, the little mishaps, the closeness shared, all these weaved a good story for my heart. And whenever I want to revisit those memories, I’ll just shut my eyes and I’m there once again…

 I hope that my family will remember this holiday as one of their favourites. Here is some quotes and pictures that I believe captured the essence of this summer holiday.

Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time. ” – J. Lubbock

                    

 Some of the secret joys of living are not found by rushing from point A to point B, but by inventing some imaginary letters along the way.  ~Douglas Pagels

A travel adventure has no substitute. It is the ultimate experience, your one big opportunity for flair.
– Rosalind Massow

 

 Be an explorer. The universe is filled with wonder and magical things. – Flavia

“Our memories of the ocean will linger on, long after our footprints in the sand are gone.” –Anonymous

Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

 “Beach sand, perfect tans. Day walks, night talks. Sleepless nights, pillow fights, and spending every day with those who matter most.” — Unknown

“Summer is where the girls go barefoot and their hearts are just as free as their toes.” — Unknown

“The tans will fade, but the memories will last forever.” — Unknown

Our Summer vacation was my period of grace!

I’m going home, I’m going home. Tell the world I’m going home!!!

As the last month of the year rapidly creeps to completion, everyone seems to be taking it slow. Conversations are predominately about summer vacations that are being finalised or eagerly anticipated. While I am starting to feel the sensations of the “end of the year syndrome” somewhere in my subconscious, I am still consumed with work which has been somewhat hectic to put it mildly. With new projects in full throttle, stress levels as well as my working day/night has become a norm in the past few months.  

So now that the kids closed school, it means that the rush of the morning routines has come to an end until Next Year. … This is a much-needed blessing.

An even bigger blessing is that in 8 sleeps I get to pack our bags and go Home! Although I have a home here in Gauteng, I get to go to My home. A place where my childhood memories belong. A place where the role of parent and child is somewhat shifted for a while… I get to be a child again in the loving ambiance of my parents and grandmother. Almost all responsibilities of being a mother, home maker, employee, an adult, along with the stress and  frustrations that have overwhelmed me during the year will all melt away … it has been a very long time since I have spent the festive season at home, and an even longer time since I have been home for the holidays. Can you tell?

Home is in hot humid Durban, and although December is sometimes unbearable in this coastal region, I look forward to the therapeutic sounds of the sea lulling me to sleep while the gentle sea breeze caresses and cools me during those hot summer nights.

You see home is near the sea, which means that I get to wake up to the sounds of seagulls searching for a meal while the waves break along the shore.  Mornings are filled with sights of porpoises, and sometimes dolphins frolicking just a few meters from where I stand, while in the background the sun rises gracefully and breathtakingly welcoming a new day. I sure miss this!!!

Days filled with long leisurely walks on the beach, finding unusual shells with the kids, exploring the caves that inhabit the beach, laying on the warm rocks reading a book (ok I can hope for that) and not forgetting  swimming in the warm Indian Ocean… this what I look forward to during this summer holiday.

Nights filled with laughter and family is what I sorely miss right now, and I get to do that too. Meeting friends that I have not seen in a while to catch up or party while my parents babysit is going to be a welcomed change to the year that was filled with work and duties.

Have I told you how much I am looking forward to my summer holiday? Being inebriated by the joy of being home? ….8 more sleeps!!!!

This might probably be my last blog for 2012, so, here is an early wish for my readers. May this festive season be a magical and relaxing time for you and your loved ones and May the New Year bring new beginnings!  …

May you all share the ….

Be blessed and be safe.

See you all in 2013!!!

My Favourite Guy!!

7 years ago, you entered my world and no words can ever express the joy and love I have felt ever since.

Here are 7 simple reasons out of the very many as to why you will forever remain my favourite guy!!!

1. Your hugs …. Those little arms around me is the most comforting feeling around
2. Your kisses for no apparent reason …. makes my heart burst with happiness
3. Your nutty crazy personality … makes me see the lighter side of life
4. Your charming smile … melts my heart every single time
5. Your big beautiful eyes … I just love the look of love that you have in them
6. When you say… “Mummy, I love you” … I will never tire of these words. NEVER!!!
7. You …..don’t ever change you!!! I love you just the way you are

 

Happy Happy 7^th Birthday Siarn…. Love you to the moon and back! Always.